Video: How a Bolt-Action Rifle Fires

On screen: HOW A BOLT-ACTION RIFLE FIRES

Here’s how a rifle fires and loads. Moving the bolt handle here loads a cartridge and works to push the firing pin back and then holds it under spring tension here. When the trigger is pulled, the firing pin moves forward with great force. It strikes the primer, igniting the gunpowder and propelling the bullet out the barrel. Finally, the rifling in the barrel causes the bullet to spin. The bullet’s speed and the expanding gases cause that bang. Now let’s see it in real life.